The Song of Darkness: Essence of Madness ● Transformers Prime {Starscream}

Chapter 16: Angel Of Death

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"The Autobots have taken control of Vos. The seekers stationed there have joined their ranks." 

"My battalion has been fighting tirelessly to hold off the Autobots near the Southern Border. I fear any day now they will take control of those lands." 

"My lord, I just received word that the Autobots have crushed our defenses around Crystal City. They are quickly taking control." Sitting aboard the Decimator, I tapped a black painted fingernail on the meeting table as I watched over the meeting. Megatron's general sat around the table, some had to video in, thanks to the ongoing war. The main topic of this meeting: We were losing. Fast. It started this morning. Somehow the Autobots had found the strength to start taking over our bases and cities. Megatron was not pleased. 

"What news do you bring, Darksong?" Nothing good. My section of Cybertron was fairing just as bad as his. Start with the good news then roll in with the bad. 

"My Seven Sins have been able to keep Ky-Alexia, Hyperius City, Median, and Ibex under Decepticon control. The Autobots who attacked have either been killed or are under integration." Megatron smirked.

"Very good, Darksong." He turned to his generals. "Why is it that only she can keep control of our strongholds?" The generals around the room grew anxious. 

"There's more, my lord." Megatron froze, slowly turning to look at me. I hesitated to tell him. When I had found out this particular set of news, I all but destroyed Ky-Alexia. Thankfully there had been Autobots there to filter my anger towards. 

"Spit it out." He growled. 

"Tarn. It's--It's been destroyed." Some at the table found other places to look. They knew. Everyone knew what Tarn was to us. 

"What do you mean destroyed?" I couldn't read Megatron's face. 

"The Autobots set off the missiles we were holding in Vos. Tarn just happened to be in range. Nothing but dust remains." I messed with my hands under the table but kept my mask of stone up. Tarn had been my home. Was still my home. I had grown up in that city. I knew it was just another casualty in this war, but it hurt the most. I would have to find a way to tell my mom, that is if she didn't already know. 

Megatron still didn't show any emotion. No hint of sadness or anger. Just empty nothingness. He looked to his silver gauntlet, typing something down. "Well, it is of no use to us now." I might as well have been slapped. I didn't know what I had expected from him. Other than meeting my mom and having me in Tarn, it wasn't a place that was kind to him. He had been a gladiator in the neighboring city. A slave. All that shit followed him to Tarn. 

From across the table, to Megatron's left, sat Starscream. He had been appointed Megatron's second-in-command a century ago. He had changed quickly after the fall of Vos. He was sneaky, resilient, and self-centered. With these changes and more, he quickly began rising in the ranks. I believe he did it to help what little seekers still lived. 

We made eye contact, making me freeze. We haven't talked or seen each other for years. I hadn't even bothered showing up for his promotion ceremony. I had made up a shit excuse and then got drunk with my Seven Sins. He wasn't under my command so I didn't have any sway or power over what he did. 

To my surprise, Starscream gave me a pitying half-smile. I didn't need pity from anyone...but coming from Starscream--it meant a lot. He, better than anyone, knew what it was like to lose your home. I gave him a curt nod, hoping Megatron wouldn't notice our tiny exchange. Because if there was one thing I definitely couldn't handle right now, it would be having to watch as Megatron beat Starscream.